The Islamic World

This is an interactive timeline of history and culture in the Islamic world. It is for educational purposes only. The views expressed in the linked video, audio and web pages are not necessarily those of its creator, James Terry, or his employer, Stephens College. Dates are given by year only (please ignore days/months).

Reign of Shah Jahan

Shah Jahan ruled the Mughal Empire in South Asia from 1628 until 1658. The name Shah Jahan comes from Persian, meaning "Ruler of Everywhere". He was the fifth Mughal emperor after Babur, Humayun, Akbar, and Jahangir.

Reign of Mehmed the Conqueror

Ottoman sultan Mehmed II Fatih (the Conqueror) reigned the second time from 1451 to his death in 1481 (he also reigned from 1444 to 1446).

Voyages of Zheng He

Zheng He (1371–1433) was a Muslim mariner, explorer and diplomat who commanded huge fleets on seven epic voyages to SE Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. Zheng He's voyages were undertaken between 1405 and 1433 on orders of the Ming imperial government.

End of the Persian Empire

The Sassanid Persian Empire is extinguished with the assassination of the fugitive Shah Yazdegird.

Sinan

Sinan (1489/90-1588) was the greatest architect of the Ottoman empire--perhaps the greatest of all time. Sinan was lucky to live during the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent, the greatest of the Ottoman sultans and a generous patron of architecture. Sinan designed more than 100 mosques in his life.

Death of Mu’awiyah

Mu'awiyah (602-680) was the first caliph of the Ummayad Dynasty.

Civil War in Syria

Popular uprising against dictator Bashar al-Assad throws Syria into civil war. Armed conflict between government forces and rebel groups continues.

Gaddafi overthrown in Libya

Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi overthrown and killed in popular uprising.

Battle of Lepanto

Venetian, Spanish and Papal fleet defeats Ottoman fleet at Lepanto, off western Greece.